Empty Gate Zen Center

Empty Gate Zen Center provides training in Zen meditation in the East Bay within a kind and supportive environment. We offer a daily practice schedule (mornings & evenings) and monthly 1-Day & 3-Day retreats, as well as Dharma talks, private interviews and kong-an (koan) practice with our guiding teacher, Zen Master Bon Soeng (Jeff Kitzes) and visting Zen Masters. All of our programs are open to everyone, regardless of previous experience or background. Empty Gate is part of the International kwan Um School of Zen founded by Zen Master Seung Sahn, one of the first Korean Zen Masters to settle in the United States. He was known for his charismatic style and direct presentation of Zen, which he tailored for Western audiences. Known for his teaching-letters, lively talks ("Dharma combat") he was conferred the honorific title of Dae Soen Sa Nim in June 2004 by the Jogye order for a lifetime of achievements. Considered the highest honor in the order, the title means Great Honored Zen Master. He died in November that year in South Korea, at age 77.